Fritz Pollard

Class of 2005

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Fritz Pollard

Frederick Douglass Pollard ... All-American halfback ... A pro football pioneer ... Began career in 1919 with Akron (OH) Pros ... Helped Akron become NFL's first champion, 1920 ... One of just two African Americans in the NFL at time ... NFL's first African American head coach, 1921 ... Exciting, elusive runner ... Played and sometimes coached four different teams in NFL career ... Born January 27, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois ... Died May 11, 1986, at age of 92.

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The four-man class was elected by the Hall of Fame’s 39-member Selection Committee who met Saturday morning in Jacksonville, Florida. The newest members of the Hall were selected from a list of 15 finalists that had been determined earlier by the committee.

Friedman was the NFL’s first great passer. His first four seasons were legendary as he threw an NFL record 11 touchdowns as a rookie with the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1927, and set another record in 1929 with 20 TD passes as the quarterback of the New York Giants.

Marino, a first round pick in 1983, became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He is the game’s all-time leader in attempts (8,358), completions (4,967), yards (61,361), and touchdowns (420).

Pollard was a football pioneer as one of just two African-American players in the NFL during its infancy. He also gained recognition when he became the first African-American head coach in NFL history.

Young won a record-tying six NFL passing titles during his NFL career. Still ranked as the top rated passer of all-time, Young was also a potent threat when he ran with the ball. A four-time All-Pro selection, he was named to seven Pro Bowls.

The 2005 class will increase to 229 the number of all-time greats permanently honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Formal enshrinement ceremonies will be held in Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on Sunday, August 7, 2005. The annual AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game will be played on Monday, August 8.

Quarterback . . . 6-4, 218. . . Pittsburgh. . . 1983-1999 Miami Dolphins. . . 17 seasons, 242 games. . . Selected in first round (27th player overall) of 1983 NFL Draft. . . Earned starting role early in rookie season. . . As a rookie guided the Dolphins to 12-4 record and AFC East title and earned Rookie of the Year honors. . . Also named to first of nine Pro Bowls. . . In 1984 led Dolphins to 14-2 record and division crown. . . Became first player ever to pass for 5,000 yards in single season (5,084). . . His 48 touchdown passes in a season obliterated the previous NFL record (36). . . By season's end, set six league records and named NFL's Most Valuable Player. . . In 1984 AFC Championship Game passed for 421 yards and four touchdowns in 45-28 win over Steelers, earning first and only trip to a Super Bowl. . . A prolific passer, by end of the 1995 season had supplanted Fran Tarkenton as the career passing leader in attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. . . Career totals are staggering; completing 4,967 of 8,358 passes for 61,361 yards, and 420 touchdowns. . . Thirteen times passed for 3,000 yards in a season, including six seasons he reached the 4,000-yard plateau. . . Passed for 300 yards in a game 63 times and threw for 400 yards in a game 13 times . . . Named first or second team All-Pro eight times and All-AFC six times. . . Born September 15, 1961 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. COMPLETE HOF BIO>>>

Halfback/Coach. . . 5-9, 165 . . . Bates, Brown . . . 1919-1921, 1925-1926 Akron Pros/Indians, 1922 Milwaukee Badgers, 1923-1924 Gilberton Cadamounts (independent pro team) 1923, 1925 Hammond Pros, 1925 Providence Steam Roller . . . 8 seasons . . . All-America halfback from Brown. . . A pro football pioneer. . . Began career in 1919 with Akron (OH) Pros. . . . In 1920, Pros joined newly founded American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League . . . With Pollard leading the charge, Pros went undefeated (8-0-3) to win NFL's first crown. . . As member of new league, Pollard immediately earned place in pro football history as one of just two African Americans in the NFL. . . In 1921 earned another distinction as first African American head coach in NFL when Pros named him co-coach. . . An exciting, elusive runner was most feared back in fledgling league. . . During his NFL career played and sometimes coached four different teams, Akron (1920-21/1925-26), Milwaukee (1922), Hammond (1923, 1925), and Providence (1925). . . Also played for Gilberton Cadamounts, strong independent pro team in Pennsylvania “Coal League” (1923-1924). . . After playing career, organized and coached all-black independent pro team, Chicago Black Hawks, 1928-1932 . . . Born January 27, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois . . . Died May 11, 1986. COMPLETE HOF BIO>>>